Electric switch



Apr 1 J, A. PETNEL ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 7, 1924 2 hows- April 19,1927. 1,625;149

' J. A. PETNEL ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 7, 1924 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jitb rrz ey Patented Apr. 19. 1927.

U N l T E D S T AT E JOSEPH A. P TNEL, or'rnoY, unw- .Yomc

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed April 7,

This invention relates to an electric switch of a type adapted for the selective lighting of a plurality of incandescentelectric lamps,

or the selective energization of a plurality of 5 other devices by an electric current.

The invention is particularly adapted for selectively lighting signal lamps of an auto.- mobile or the like.

The principal objectof the invention is to i provide a simple and easily actuated switch .mechanism, whereby at the will of the user any selected one of a plurality of'signal lamps can be lighted.

Other objects will appear in connection A with the'following description: I

Fig. 1 of the drawings is a view in front elevation of an electric switch embodying any invention. i I

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the housing removed.

"Fig. 3 is a rear elevation ofthe same.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken through the axis of the switch on the broken line 4-4 in Fig. 1. i

Fig. 5 is a similar section taken on the broken line 5-5 in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings wherein the invention is shown in preferred form, 1 is the housing for the switch, having a base, 2, and a cover, 3. I

The body of the housing is preferably cy-. lindrical in form and adapted to be mounted within an aperture in the instrument-board, 4, of an automobile or the like.

The cover, 3, l 1as abody-portion inserted with the cover within thehousing body and a circumfer- I ential flange, 5, whereby the switch is secured upon the instrumeiit-board by means of screws, 6.

I have shown three bindingposts, 7, 8, and 9, extending through the base, 2, the inner ends or heads of the posts forming switch-contacts and the outer ends 101 the posts being connectedvin parallel by wires, 10, 11 and 12, with one branch, 13, of an electric circuit including a battery, 14, or other source of electrical energy. I

' -Within the housing, 1. is a contact-plate, 15, having four braeket-arms or legs, 16, offset as shown in Fig. 5, and mounted "upon the "inner side, of the cover. 3, by means of screws or rivets, 17. whereby said contactplate is adapted to be removed from or in-- serted within the housing by the removal from or application to the housing .of the cover," 3, while at the same time the body I 1924. Serial'No. 704,681.

portion of said contact-plate is spaced away from the coveras shown in Figs. 4 and 5. I The contact-plate, 15, also has an arm, 18, in removable connection with a binding post, 19, extending through the base, 2, and connected by a wire, 20, with the other side of the circuit which includes the battery, 14.

I By removing the nuts, 21, from the outer end ofthe binding post,-19, said post can be withdrawn from the base, 2, as the contactplate, 15, and cover, 3, arewvithdrawn from the housing. I 7

The contact-plate, 15, also has" projecting therefrom, three contact-arms,22, 23 and 24,

formed with cam-surfaces, 25, 26 and 27, re l 'spectlvely, the outer ends of said contact-'- arms 'bemg engageable respectively with the contacts, 7 8 and 9, on the base, 2.

' The plate, 15, with its contact-arms, 22, 23 and 24, is made of resilient sheet metal, permitting the outer ends of said arms to be yieldingly forced into engagement with the respective contacts on the base; while said arms withdraw from such engagement with the contacts on'the base when released to. their resilient force.

The cover, 3, is provided with three slots, 28, 29 and 30, which intersect one another at the-center of the cover, the contact-arms, 22,23 and 24, of the contactqilate, 15, being located opposite said slots respectively.

5. PATENT ome-1a.":

An actuating member, 31, is mounted upon the cover, 3, and is slidable along'the ,respective slots, 28, 29 and 30, selectively. This actuating member end with an operating handle, 32, and has on its inner end a camfollower,'33, which is carried by sald actuating member, 31, into and out of engagement selectively with the cam-surfaces, 25,26 and 27, on the respective contact-arms, 22, 23 and 24, causing the selected contact-arm to be yieldingly forced into engagement with the respective contact 7,8 or 9, on the base: l

The end portions of the respective conis provided on its outer tact-arms, 22, 23 and 24, are preferabl retroverted as shown at 34,130 provide or a more yielding engagement with the respective contacts on thebase. I I\ The contact-plate,- 15, is provlded with a depressed seat. 35, opposite 'he polnt of intersection of the slots, 28, 29 and 30, which.

seat is adapted to receive the .cam -follower, 33, and yieldingly retain thesame at. the point of intersection of sald slots.

Included in circuit with the respective.

wires, 10, 11 and 12, are resistances, 36, 37 and 38, which may be incandescent electric lamps or the like.

When the switch is not being used to close the circuitthrough any of the resistances, 36,. 37 or 38, the actuating member. 31, is yieldingly retained at the pointof intersection of the slots, 28; 29 and 30. by engagement of its cam-follower, 33, with the dcpressed seat, 35, on the contact-plate, 15.

When it is desired to close the circuit through one of said resistances. the actuating member. 31, is moved along the slot opposite which is the contact-arm, 22. 23 or 2-1, which is engageable with the contact on the base which is connected with said resistance.

As the cam-follower. 33, engages the camsurface on the. selected contact-arm. 22, 23 or 24, said arm is forced against or into engagement with the corres'pomling contact on the base, thereby closing the circuit through the resistance which is in connection with said contact. 1

Thus, if it be desired to close the circuit through the resistance. 36. the actuating member will be moved along the slot, 28: if it be desired to close the circuit through the resistance. 37, the actuating member, 31, will be moved along the slot, 29. and if it he desired to close the circuit through the resistance. 38, the actuating member will be moved along the slot, 30.

The actuating member, 31, can thus be used to close the circuit selectively through any'of the resistances. 36, 37 and 38, and when so used. the circuit remains broken through all ,of the other of said resistances.

I do not wish to be limited to the constructions shown and above described. as. for certain purposes of the invention, various changes may be made in the formand arrangement of various-parts of the de ice without departing from the spirit of the.

invention.

I have shown and described the actuating member, 31, as slidably movable along the respective slots, 28, 29 and 30, but for certain purposes otthe invention the manner in which said actuating member is movable along or within said slots is innnaterial, provided its cam-follower, as the cam-follower, 33, can be made to engage selectively tho cam-surfaces on the circuit-closing arms of the contact plate, 15.

For example: The actuating member, 31,

may. if desired. be mounted upon the cover combination, a housing having a base, and

a cover provided with a plurality of intersecting slots; a plurality of contacts mounted upon said base; a contact-member mounted within said housing, said contact member including a resilient body and a plurality of resilient arms projecting therefrom opposite the respectiv e slots in the cover and engageable with the respective contacts on the base, each of said arms having a cam-surface, and said body being formed with a de-'.

pressed seat opposite the point of intersec-- tion of said slots; and an actuating member 'slideable along said slots selectively engage able with said depressed seat, and with'the cam-surfaces on said arms to cause them to engage the respective contacts on the base, said contact-member and said contacts on the base having means'whereby they can be connected in an electric circuit.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of April. 1924.

JOSEPH A. PETNEL. 

